Garcinia Plants

Abstract

The genus Garcinia L. (Clusiaceae or Guttiferae) comprises about 450 species, mainly distributed in tropical and subtropical areas such as South Africa, tropical Asia, and tropical America. Garcinia species are gaining increasing scientific attention worldwide due to their multiple traditional uses and pharmacological significance. In China, the genus is represented by 20 species, most of which are distributed in Yunnan Province in southwestern China with the distribution of 14 taxa. In this province, Garcinia plants are known for their ethnomedicinal uses apart from their edible fruits. Diverse medicinal practices have been achieved by the local people since different plant parts such as fruits, bark, and leaves have long been used to fight against human diseases and disorders. Considerable modern phytochemical and biological evidence has shown that the genus Garcinia in Yunnan Province contains a wide range of bioactive compounds including xanthones, benzophenones, and flavonoids, possessing various pharmacological effects such as anti-cancer, anti-microbial, and anti-inflammatory activities. In this chapter, the ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemistry, and bioactivity of Garcinia species specific to Yunnan Province are comprehensively reviewed with an aim to emphasize their medicinal potentials and promote their further development for human welfare.